European Patent Office meets with German Association for Intellectual Property Law
Video interview with President Dr Anke Nordemann-Schiffel
On 2 March, the EPO welcomed a delegation from the German Association for Intellectual Property Law (GRUR) to its headquarters in Munich for a bilateral exchange on key developments in the European Patent System.
The Vice-President for Legal and International Affairs Christoph Ernst headed the EPO delegation, welcoming GRUR representatives led by their new President, Dr Anke Nordemann-Schiffel. In line with the EPO’s commitment to structured, inclusive engagement with users, the meeting formed part of the ongoing dialogue with national and international user associations in 2026. The exchange provided an excellent opportunity to reaffirm shared priorities, take stock of the very positive results already achieved, and explore potential for continued co-operation.
Quality and operational developments
The EPO shared with GRUR recent insights from the Quality Action Plan 2026, published last month, highlighting the importance of user feedback in shaping its priorities. As in previous editions, the plan focuses on targeted technical training and reskilling for EPO examiners, the use of AI-powered tools to advance digital transformation, and maintaining high standards across search, examination and opposition proceedings. The GRUR delegation expressly commended the excellent quality of the EPO‘s products and services, acknowledging the high level of professionalism and reliability throughout the patent granting process. In this context, GRUR confirmed that substantial and measurable progress has been achieved, building on the direction set by the EPO’s Strategic Plans 2023 and 2028, and further consolidating the Office’s reputation for quality.
Unitary Patent and strategic foresight
Recent developments relating to the Unitary Patent (UP) and the Unified Patent Court (UPC) were also discussed. GRUR acknowledged the success of the UP system to date as reflected in the EPO’s contribution to the European Commission report on the operation of the Unitary patent system (Regulation (EU) No 1257/2012). Echoing the conclusions from the Draghi and Letta reports, the delegates agreed that the UP and the UPC are essential tools for deepening the Single Market and boosting the EU’s technological sovereignty. Against this backdrop, both sides shared the ambition to build on this strong success, further enhancing the attractiveness and legal certainty offered by the Unitary Patent system.
The exchange then turned to the work of the EPO’s Observatory on Patents and Technology, with particular attention to the strategic foresight initiative "Scenarios for the Future 2025-2045".
GRUR is among the user organisations invited to contribute to the broad consultation process with key stakeholders, which examines how the innovation landscape and the patent system may develop over the next two decades, which technologies could shape this period, and what role the patent system and patent offices will play in the future.
While outcomes of the foresight project are expected in June 2027, the EPO and GRUR expressed a shared interest in continuing close co-operation in various fields both in the short and longer term.
GRUR President Dr Anke Nordemann-Schiffel and EPO Vice-President Christoph Ernst with their respective delegations
About GRUR
Founded in 1891, GRUR is Germany’s oldest and largest intellectual property law association and enjoys an outstanding reputation and high level of recognition among IP stakeholders across Europe and beyond. With around 5 000 members in Germany and abroad. Its purpose is the academic advancement and development of IP law at the German, European and international level.
Its vast network is composed of a variety of members including patent attorneys and lawyers, judges and academics, as well as companies, business associations and their employees and representatives. A dedicated GRUR standing committee on patent and utility model law, in which the EPO holds observer status, complements the various bilateral interactions with the association.
In a video interview with the EPO, GRUR President Dr Anke Nordemann-Schiffel shares further insights into the association’s mission and its vision for the future of the patent system.
